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Narrated by James Marriott
The television journalist Alastair Stewart’s recent diagnosis of early vascular dementia has helped to highlight a condition that has long lived in the shade of its more common relation, Alzheimer’s disease. Both types of dementia, which between them account for at least 80 per cent of cases in the UK, have a profound effect on cognitive function and behaviour, and are very difficult to treat. However, vascular dementia is easier to prevent. And these preventive measures can slow progression in established cases too.
Vascular dementia is an umbrella term for cognitive decline or damage caused by interruption of the brain’s blood supply. This can occur after a stroke, either an obvious one caused by a large clot or bleed, or repeated mini-strokes (TIAs – see
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